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16 Feb 2009

Poster for Thriller

Thriller – Live, the West End celebration of the life and career of Michael Jackson now running at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, has announced that it is now extending its planned run by 24 weeks to Sept. 27.

The production was originally booking through April 12 only. The show opened officially at the Lyric on Jan. 21, following previews from Jan. 2.

The West End company is led by former 5 Star lead vocalist, songwriter and Brit Award winner Denise Pearson, who is making her West End debut in the show. It also features Ricko Baird, who co-choreographed Jackson's "You Rock My World," and doubled for him in the video. He was also lead dancer alongside Jackson on the award-winning "Dangerous" and on the "Michael Jackson and Friends" tour. Three 13-year-old boys alternate in the role of the young Michael Jackson: Layton Williams (previously the first black Billy Elliot in London), Sterling Williams (Young Simba in The Lion King) and newcomer Kieran Alleyne.

Also in the cast are Roger Wright, who created the role of Simba in the original London cast of The Lion King and played Marvin Gaye in the West End production of Dancing in the Streets; John Moabi (seen in Street Scene at the Young Vic earlier this year); Ben Foster (Doody in the West End production of Grease) and Ashton Russell, with Kamilah Beckles, Ivan Blackstock, Jordan Darrell, Jo Dyce, Christabelle Fields, Elliott James, Earl Perkins, Danni Rothman, Emily Rumbles, Ross Sands, Sean Williams and Yasmin Yazdi.

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Thriller Live, which pays tribute to the musical hits and career of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, has previously enjoyed three U.K. tours as well as engagements in Germany, Holland and Scandinavia. Billed as a spectacular, high-octane show specially created to celebrate the career of the "world's greatest entertainer and undisputed King of Pop," the show's performance schedule currently includes two Sunday showings every week at 3 and 7 PM, as well as Tuesday-Saturday evening performances at 8 PM and an additional Saturday matinee at 4 PM. From April 14 onwards, the evening performances will be at 7:30 PM on Tuesday-Friday. All other performance times stay the same.

The West End season is being produced by Paul Walden and Derek Nicol for Flying Music, and Sony BMG Music Entertainment UK in association with Adrian Grant for Key Concerts.

To book tickets contact the box office at 0844 412 4661 or visit www.nimaxtheatres.com/thriller.